Holmsheidi Prison, Reykjavik, Iceland

Fangelsid Holmsheidi, Reykjavik Building, Icelandic Architecture, Architect, Images

Holmsheidi Prison, Reykjavik

Nordic Built principles Building in Iceland – design by Arkis Architects

6 Jan 2017

Holmsheidi Prison in Reykjavik

Design: Arkis Architects

Location: Reykjavik, Iceland

Holmsheidi Prison, Reykjavik

The Holmsheidi Prison is one of 30 model projects of the Nordic Built principles, and embodies the principles in its design and function.

It is the result of rigorous consultation with the users with the aim of creating a sustainable prison from the standpoints of environment, social factors through the betterment of the inmates and economic factors.

Holmsheidi Prison Reykjavik
Photos © Hreinn Magnusson

Holmsheidi Prison is located at the outskirts of Reykjavik and houses three prisons in one: a women’s prison, a short sentence prison and a custodial prison.

The design team focused on creating a building of high architectural quality so that the overall character, form and material selection fits the function and compliments the surroundings. Furthermore, strong emphasis is placed on creating a framework for betterment of the inmates, good and safe conditions for inmates and staff alike and low operating costs.

Holmsheidi Prison Reykjavik

The building form is made up around three key elements:

First is the central guard center, a round form that rises up from the building’s center, funneling daylight into the building.

Second, internal courtyards are central elements to each ward. The courtyards distribute daylight into the wards, allow for outdoor recreation and in some cases prisoners enjoy views into the courtyards.

The third element is the recurring prison cell extrusions. The extrusions serve a dual purpose. Providing each prisoner a view and daylight into the cell on the one hand and limiting views so that a prisoner cannot see the window of another cell or the exercise yard of another ward. The extrusions are both; an expression of the prisoner’s will to live again free outside the walls of the prison and simultaneously the limits holding the prisoner within.

Holmsheidi Prison Reykjavik

More importantly, client and design team have worked closely to create a prison that is sustainable from an economic standpoint for the building’s operations and from a social standpoint as an institution of human betterment.

Material palettes are simple and clear, with an emphasis on durability and robustness.
The design team carried out LCC analysis of key building materials and the final selection of materials is based on that analysis. In addition an emphasis has been placed on selecting materials that contribute to healthy indoor environments for inmates, staff and visitors. Concrete is the primary construction material, but the building is partially clad with weathering steel.

In addition to a rigorous material selection process, building and site employ sustainable drainage solutions for the handling of surface water on site. Furthermore, the design process has been characterized by a strong focus on the health and wellbeing of building users.

Holmsheidi Prison Reykjavik Holmsheidi Prison Reykjavik

Airport Terminal Extension Keflavik – Building Information

Name of work in English: Holmsheidi Prison
Name of work in original language: Fangelsid Holmsheidi
Location: Reykjavik, Iceland
Year completed: 2016 (Year began 2013)
Studio: Arkis Architects
Author: Bjorn Gudbrandsson (1974 Iceland)

Holmsheidi Prison in Reykjavik
Holmsheidi Prison in Reykjavik

Engineering: Mannvit, Verkis, VSI / Lota
Art: Anna Hallin and Olga Bergmann
Landscape architect: ARKIS (Landhonnun)
Program: Government & Civic
Total area: 37400
Usable floor area: 3595
Client: Ministry of the Interior
Client Type: public
Map: LatLng: (64.09958188366001, -21.696245558559895)

Mies van der Rohe 2017 Award Nominations

Location:Reykjavik, Iceland

Architecture in Iceland

Iceland Architecture Designs – chronological list

Iceland Architecture News

Scandinavian Prison Buildings:

Greenland Correctional Facility Building, Nuuk
Design: schmidt hammer lassen architects with Friis & Moltke
Ny Anstalt in Nuuk
image from architects

Danish State Prison Building, Falster, Denmark
Design: C. F. Møller Architects
Denmark new state prison
image from architect

Halden Prison Oslo, Norway
Architects: Erik Møller Arkitekter / HLM Arkitektur AS
Halden Prison Norway
photograph : Trond Isaksen

Icelandic Buildings:

Icelandic Concert & Conference Centre, Reykjavik
Henning Larsen Architects + Olafur Eliasson
Harpa
photo Courtesy of Harpa © Hörður Sveinsson
Harpa Iceland

Hotel in Reykjavik
Design: OOIIO Architecture
Hotel in Reykjavik Building
image from architect
New Hotel in Iceland

Reykjavik University Building
Henning Larsen Architects
Reykjavik University building
image from architects
Reykjavik University building

Iceland Architecture

Vatnsmýri Urban Plan
Graeme Massie Architects
Vatnsmýri Urban Plan
image from architects
Iceland Urban Plan

Vision Akureyri International Design Competition, 1st Prize
Graeme Massie Architects
Vision Akureyri
image from architect
Icelandic building competition

Comments / photos for the Airport Terminal Extension in Keflavik page welcome

Airport Terminal Extension in Keflavik – page

Website: Keflavík International Airport